The word pow-wow comes from the Algonquian “pauau” and means a gathering of people to celebrate an important event. In the Dakota language, a pow-wow is known as a wacipi and means dance or dancing. The Dakota people have always danced and they dance for different reasons. A wacipi fulfills primarily social and entertainment purposes - old friends get together and new friends are made.

Each year the Upper Sioux Community holds a wacipi at the Upper Sioux Agency State Park, located 8 miles southeast of Granite Falls of Hwy. 67. The Univeristy of Minnesota, Morris conducts their annual wacipi each May on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Morris. For more information on the U of M, Morris program contact the Minority Student Program at 320.589.6095.

The wacipi begins with a grand entry into the arena and can be lead by the tribal council, followed by royalty, and the dancers in full regalia, lead by the male traditional dancers. The grand entry is an important part of the contemporary pow-wow and contest. Once the grand entry is complete there will be a flag song while the Dakota, United States, Canadian and tribal flag - the Eagle feather staff or Wa’-pa-ha (a Dakota word) - will be raised. Following the flag song will be the Victory dance/song for celebration, prayer and then the dancing.

At a wacipi, drumming groups take turns drumming. The beat of the drum is the heartbeat of the earth. The dancing arena represents the circle of life. While dancing, the dancers reaffirm their roles in being part of the circle of life. To casual onlookers, the spiritual and symbolic meanings of the dancers, and their movements, could be lost in the color and pageantry of a wacipi.

There are distinguishing factors among the dancers:

• Male traditional dancers have costumes with one bustle, and they are looking for signs of prey or of the enemy. Eagle feathers are used in bustles and in fans. The Dakota people consider the eagle sacred because it flies nearer to “Wakan tanka” - Great Mystery or God - and carries their prayers upward.

• Male fancy dancers have two bustles instead of one and have leaping, jumping and spinning movements.

• Female traditional dancers dance on the outer part of the circle in honor of the men and are sedate and stately.

• Shawl dancers spread their shawls like butterflies.

• Jingle dancers movements are bouncy and very energetic. The jingle bell dresses are considered to have healing powers.

• During the wacipi traditional ceremonies can also be held. This may include making of relative (adoption), name giving (Dakota naming), or honoring songs and dances for many reasons. Today's wacipi is a reflection of the traditional lifestyles, attitudes and values that follow the old ways in the mind, in the heart, and in the soul.

Article information provided by Christian Cavender, Ph. D. Coordinator of the American Indian & Dakota Studies at Southwest State University and Wacipi announcer for 13 years.

Native American History Sites

Historic Sites    Museums